Category: H.R.38

Now this is not the end. It is not even the beginning of the end. But it is, perhaps, the end of the beginning.

-Sir Winston Churchill

The passage of H.R. 38 in the House of Representatives does not signal the end of repressive concealed carry laws in the US. It’s but a step along the way to the end. The next step is passage in the U.S. Senate. This will certainly be a difficult, uphill fight. Though there has been true bipartisan support for the concept in the recent past, there’s no guarantee that Democrats who supported it previously will do so again. It’s easy to support a bill when you know it will never get past a President like Barrack Hussein! (Do you remember George W. Bush supporting the Clinton “assault weapon” ban? He did. He promised to sign the renewal if it ever reached his desk; an easy promise to make when you know there’s a pro-gun majority in the House that will protect you from your own stupidity.)

There’s also no guarantee that the entire Republican caucus will support the bill. Soft, squishy Senators like John McCain just live for the attention they’ll get for opposing the rights of law abiding American gun owners. Worse yet, there are more than a few dim bulbs on the Hill who clearly haven’t read the text of the bill. Or if they have, they’re just refusing to see what isn’t there! Some people just can’t accept victory, it seems.

Going forward, now is not the time for American gun owners to let up. You called and wrote your Representatives, now call and write your Senators. Some of you live in places like California and may be thinking “Senators like Feinstein and Harris will never listen.” They won’t, but call and write anyway. They may not pay attention, but their colleagues cannot help but notice the volume of calls and letters in opposition; even those made to other offices. (Staffers talk to one another, you see. What happens in Senator A’s office will eventually be known in Senator B’s office.)

Like this:

You read that right. Whether Sacramento likes it or not, California may soon be getting with the program on CCW. And it’s H.R. 38 that will drag this State kicking and screaming into the 21st Century.

The Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act of 2017 will mandate that all States recognize concealed carry permits issued by any other State. But here’s the important part: There’s no requirement that the permit be issued by one’s State of residence. A non-resident permit issued by Utah or Arizona, for example, would be valid in California. This is a feature, not a flaw. The bill’s author, Rep. Richard Hudson (R-NC) made sure that the language of the bill would protect the rights of Americans stuck in places like California or New Jersey.

Now, to be fair to the State of my birth, most of California is actually “shall issue”. Most counties here issue CCWs to anyone who qualifies. There are still training requirements, but these counties are not like L.A. County or similarly backward jurisdictions who refuse to issue permits to anyone other than the well heeled and connected. It’s also true that the State sheriffs’ organization here opposed H.R. 38. I’m sure that most are concerned about things like training requirements and visitors’ knowledge of our laws. (Though that latter concern isn’t much of a concern. Our laws and legal traditions on self-defense are actually pretty good; superior to some other States, in fact. I can’t imagine how a visitor from, let’s say, Virginia or Tennessee would run afoul of our laws. We’ve had Castle doctrine and Stand Your Ground as long as we’ve been a State!) However, this State has had years to get its act together and to stop violating the rights of its citizens. Now it’s time for the Federal government to step in to protect us. This is what the 14th Amendment is all about and why Congress has the power to do this. Those concerned about Federalism need to remember that the States do not have the power to violate the rights of the People.

Like this:

The Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act of 2017 will indeed apply to non-resident permits. The bill’s author, Rep. Richard Hudson (R., N.C.), stated that this is his legislative intent. “My legislative intent is to ensure a non-resident carry permit is recognized, and I’ve confirmed this with legislative counsel and Judiciary Committee staff,” Hudson told the Washington Free Beacon.

Thus, residents of Los Angeles and other parts of California will enjoy the same liberties as those living in Free America. A Utah non-resident permit, for example, would be valid here in LaLaLand where no permits are issued. Ever!

Fairfax, Va. – On behalf of its five-million members, the National Rifle Association’s Institute for Legislative Action (NRA-ILA) applauded the introduction of H.R. 38, The Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act of 2017, authored by Congressman Richard Hudson (NC-8). This legislation would eliminate the confusing patchwork of state carry laws by allowing individuals who possess concealed carry permits from their home state or who are not prohibited from carrying concealed in their home state to exercise those rights in any other state that does not prohibit concealed carry.

“The current patchwork of state and local laws is confusing for even the most conscientious and well-informed concealed carry permit holders. This confusion often leads to law-abiding gun owners running afoul of the law when they exercise their right to self-protection while traveling or temporarily living away from home,” said Chris W. Cox, executive director of the NRA-ILA. “Congressman Hudson’s legislation provides a much needed solution to a real problem for law-abiding gun owners.”

This legislation would not override state laws governing the time, place or manner of carriage or establish national standards for concealed carry. Individual state gun laws would still be respected. If under federal law a person is prohibited from carrying a firearm, they will continue to be prohibited from doing so under this bill.

“Law-abiding citizens should be able to exercise their fundamental right to self-defense while traveling across state lines,” continued Cox. “This is an extremely important issue to our members and we thank Congressman Hudson for leading the fight to protect our rights,” concluded Cox.